The Relationship Between Mindfulness and Anxiety in Adults: The Mediating Role of Body Awareness and Difficulties in Emotion Regulation
Sung Eun Baek
Asia Counseling and Coaching Society June 30, 2026 DOI: 10.47018/accr.2026.8.2.1 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational study using structural equation modeling Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 373 |
| Population | Adults aged 20 to over 60 years |
| Topics | Anxiety Meditation |
| Key findings | Lower mindfulness was associated with greater emotion regulation difficulties and higher anxiety, and difficulties in emotion regulation mediated the relationship between mindfulness deficits and anxiety. The authors argue that adult anxiety reflects vulnerabilities in recognizing and regulating internal experiences, suggesting interventions should target emotional awareness, acceptance, and regulation beyond symptom reduction. |
Abstract
The present study examined the mediating effects of body awareness and difficulties in emotion regulation in the relationship between mindfulness and anxiety among adults. Self-report data were collected from 373 adults aged 20 to over 60 years. Descriptive statistics and correlation analyses were conducted using SPSS 29.0, and measurement and structural models were tested using structural equation modeling with Mplus 7.0. The results indicated that higher levels of mindfulness deficits were significantly associated with greater difficulties in emotion regulation and higher levels of anxiety. In addition, an indirect effect of mindfulness deficits on anxiety through difficulties in emotion regulation was supported, such that lower mindfulness was related to increased emotion regulation difficulties, which in turn were associated with elevated anxiety. These findings suggest that anxiety in adulthood is closely linked to vulnerabilities in the processes of recognizing and regulating internal experiences rather than reflecting a mere emotional reaction. The results highlight the importance of intervention approaches that extend beyond symptom reduction and target broader processes of emotional awareness, acceptance, and regulation. Implications for anxiety prevention and emotional adaptation in adult populations, as well as directions for future research, are discussed.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on anxiety, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress reduction program in the treatment of anxiety disorders Patients with generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder with or without agoraphobia | 1992 | Observational cohort | n = 22 |
| Antidepressant effects of a single dose of ayahuasca in patients with recurrent depression: a preliminary report Patients with a depressive disorder | 2015 | Observational study | |
| Patterning of Cognitive and Somatic Processes in the Self-Regulation of Anxiety: Effects of Meditation versus Exercise Regular practitioners of physical exercise or meditation | 1978 | Retrospective study | n = 77 |
| Dynamic coupling of whole-brain neuronal and neurotransmitter systems Healthy humans | 2020 | Observational study | |
| Psychedelics not linked to mental health problems or suicidal behavior: A population study Randomly selected United States adults | 2015 | Observational cohort | n = 135,095 |